Hiwassee Dam – For the first time since the 2021-22 season, the Hiwassee Dam boys varsity basketball team has multiple wins against Big Smoky Mountain competition.
The Eagles also picked up their first Little Smoky Mountain Conference win over Highlands on Friday night.
With the win over Hayesville on Dec. 9, the Eagles are 2-0 against Big Smoky teams this season. This was also the first time since the 2022-23 season that Hiwassee Dam defeated Hayesville.
The Eagles kicked off their two-game week by defeating Hayesville 57-49 in a physical four-quarter fight.
Hayesville got the ball rolling to establish an early lead, but the Eagles fought back to tie it up. After a few lead changes, Hayesville exploded to build a large lead in the first quarter. The Eagles scored a few points late to trail 19-12 heading into the second period.
In the second quarter, Hayesville extended their lead. The game began to get chippy and physical, with fouls from both sides. Hayesville maintained a 34-26 lead to halftime.
Hayesville controlled the first half, but the Eagles came out of halftime and decided it was time to take over.
The Eagles held the Yellow Jackets scoreless for the first few minutes and scored points of their own to bring it close. Jonah Dockery hit a 3-pointer to give the Eagles the lead early in the game.
Hayesville drove down the court and got the lead back, but the Eagles weren’t done. They got the ball back and took the lead, which they would maintain through the end of the third quarter to take a 44-41 lead into the fourth.
The game continued to be chippy in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles maintained the lead. The Eagles defeated Hayesville 57-49 in a tight and tough game for their third straight win.
Aidan Bennett led the Eagles with 23 points, 10 alone in the second quarter. Braiden Ledford had 15 points in the contest and was 3/4 from the free throw line.
Dockery was also in double digits with 11 points. Dockery and Luke Harbin were both a perfect 4/4 on free throws.
They closed out their week by hitting the road for their first LSMC matchup of the season against Highlands and returned home with their fourth straight win.
In another tight game – this time against conference rivals – the Eagles were able to close it out and get an important win.
The Eagles put up 14 points in the first quarter to establish the lead. Dockery and Jimmy Kelley made three-pointers, along with Bennett scoring four points.
Despite being outscored by one-point in the second quarter, the Eagles took a two-point lead to halftime. Things got tight in the third quarter, as Highlands tied it up heading into the fourth.
The Eagles’ defense came through big time in securing the win, as they only allowed Highlands to score six points in the final frame. Bennett also had two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to lead Hiwassee Dam to a 47-40 victory.
Bennett led the Eagles with his third straight game in double-digit points with 24 on Friday night. He went 7/10 from the free throw line and made three 3-pointers. Dockery had eight points on two field goals, a 3 and one free throw.
The Eagles will play their final game before winter break at home at 7:30 p.m. Friday, when they host familiar foes Murphy.